Salt block holder



June 4, 1940. BEYEA 2,203,275

SALT BLOCK HOLDER Filed Feb. 8, 1939 INVENTUR HPANKH HEYEA ATTORNEYPatented June '4, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

such as cows, horses or other animals, mayreadily feed therefrom.

Heretofore there have been in general usetwo forms of holders for saltcompressed into cakes or blocks. One of these holders is composed of ahollow cylindrical receptacle, or container adapted. to loosely receivea salt cake therein. The container is provided with an opening or recessat the bottom end thereof for exposing a portion of the lower edge ofthe cake of salt. The other form of holder is comprised of a wedgelikeplug adapted to be received in a conical opening provided in the lowerend of the salt cake substantially centrally thereof. This plug isrotatably carried in a vertical position by a bracket of suitable designtobe secured to an available support such as a post or ,a stanchion orstall member.

The first mentioned form of salt holder must be mounted at such anelevation that the animal may lick the lower portion of the salt cakewhich is in registration with the container recess. Many animals,particularly cows, seem to be averse to reaching upwardly for food anddonot eat of v the salt when thus located in an elevated position. Whenusing the plug type of holder, nearly the entire outer surface of thesalt cake is exposed with the result that the animal usually i'eeds fromthe cake by licking the vertical side thereof and one side of the cakeis usually consumed more rapidly than the opposite side. This results ina considerable amount of the salt being wasted due to one side portionof the cake becoming loosened and falling from the plug as the otherside portion thereof is consumed down to the plug Furthermore, whenusing the plug type of holder care must be taken to mount the holder asclose as possible to the ground or floor so that the tongue of theanimal feeding from the cake of salt will not engage the bottom ofthecake and thereby eventually loosen the cake and lift it off thetapered plug.

The main object of this invention is to produce a holder for salt thathas been compressed into blocks or cakes which will maintain a block orcake of salt at the most desirable position with respect both toaccessibility and elevation for animals to easily feed therefrom and, atthe same time, so support the block or cake that there will be noappreciable waste of the salt.

In carrying out the above mentioned object, I have provided a holdercomprisinga bracket and a relatively shallow.- hollow receptacle orbasin rotatably supported by the bracket. The basin is so designed thatit will engage and cover the 5 lower end and a small portion of the sideof the salt cake adjacent thereto and thereby prevent an animal fromlifting the cake from the holder by pressure exerted on the lower end ofthe salt cake. Furthermore. the basin is so constructed 10,; that thecake will not fall from the holder even though one side portion thereofis consumed faster than the opposite side portion.

Another advantage derived from my novel salt holder resides in the factthat the salt is firmly 1 6 v supported by the holder until it issubstantially entirely consumed;

I attain these objects by mechanism illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing. in which: E

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a holder for, 20 cakes or blocks ofsalt embodying the various features of this invention. The holder isillustrated clamped to a post which is shown by broken lines and ashaving a salt block or cake operatively connected therewith. 25

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the supporting brackettaken substantially in the plane of the line 2-2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially inthe plane of the line 33, 30 Figure '1, the upper portion of the saltblock being illustrated in elevation.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the basin portion of the holderillustrated detached from the bracket portion thereof. 35

Figure 5 .is a perspective view illustrating the two sections of thebracket shown in Figure 1, said sections being arranged in spacedopposed relation to each other.

Figure 6 is a top plan of the central portion of the basin illustratedin Figure 4, showing. the, arrangement of the screw-threads associated.therewith. v I

As indicated above, my novel salt holder comprises, primarily, a bracketl0 adapted to be se- 45 cured to a suitable support and a basin I ladapted to carry the block or cake of salt, and which is rotatablyconnected with the bracket Ill.

The bracket I0 is composed of two substan-- tially identical sections l3and l4 stamped from 50 sheet steel and which are preferably dipped inhot tin to prevent these members being corroded by salt coming incontact therewith. Each section is bent to provide semi-circularrecesses l5 and I6 adjacent the ends thereof. and which are 55 connectedby a substantially straight flat shank portion I1. The semi circularrecesses l5 are so constructed that when the sections are mountedtogether with the recesses in opposed relation to each other, theserecesses form a socket, as H, Figures 1 and 2, for receiving a post, asP, therethrough. The shank portions ll of the bracket sections are eachprovided with holes l8 adjacent the recesses 15 adapted to receive abolt, as [9, therethrough for securing the shank portions of the bracketsections to each other.

The outer end portions 23 of the bracket sections 13 and M are bent toextend outwardly from the adjacent recess portion it in substantiallyparallel relation with the corresponding shank portion 11. However,these end portions are preferably arranged, as illustrated in Figure 2,in outward spaced relation to the plane of the corresponding shankportion 51 so that when the bracket sections are secured together theend portions 28 will be spaced from each other so that the bracket maybe drawn into tight clamping engagement with the post P by a bolt 22passing through aligned holes 23 provided in the end portion 20 and anut 24 screwth'readed on one end'of the bolt. The bolts I9 and 22 andthe nuts therefor are, like sections l3 and I4, preferably coated withtin or other suitable material friendly to salt to maintain them"against corrosion.

The end portion 25 of each bracket section 13 and f4 adjacent the recess46 is preferably extended outwardly from the recess at an angle ofinclination to the plane of the shank portion 61 so that when thesections i3 and M are secure'd' together these end portions intersecteach other. The end portions 25 are provided with elongated slots 26extending inwardly from one side thereof in close proximity to theadjacent recess l'6. These slots 26 extend substantially to thelongitudinal center of the end portions 25 and are of such width as toreadily receive the opposite side portion, as the tongue or web 21 thusformed, of the end 25 of the companion section therein, so as tohingedly secure the corresponding end portions of the bracket sectionsto "each other.

It will now be observed that when the bracket e ect-ions l3 and M havethe end portions 25 thereof mounted in interlocking engagement with'each other, the recesses [6 will provide a socket i6 which is adaptedto receive a pendent boss or stem 28 connected with the bottom of thebasin H for rotatably'securing the basin to the bracket. Each recess H5is preferably provided with an inwardly extending flange or rib 29formed by stamping the wall of each recess F6 inwardly substantiallymidway between the end thereof, as indicated in Figure 5. These ribs-2'9are arranged to be received in an annular recess 30 provided in theperiphery of the stem'28 intermediate the ends thereof for securing thestern and, therefore, the basin H to the bracket against beingaccidentally removed axially fromthe bracket and, at the same time,permit free rotary movement of the basin with respect to thebracket.

Although I have shown and described the bracket sections l-3-and Itprovided with semicircular recesses l5 for receiving a post P therein,it wi-llbe-readily understood that these end portions of 'the bracketsections may be stamped in other forms so as to adapt the bracket to besecured'to members other than a cylindrical post suchasamernber-havingaplain, flat surface or a more or less angular surface as the occasionmay require.

The basin II is preferably composed of a composition of asbestos andcement or of other suitable water-proof material and which will notreadily corrode when subjected to the action of salt. The basin, asillustrated in the drawing, comprises a substantially flat bottom.portion 32 having a marginal upwardly extending flange 33. The stem 28is connected with the bottom portion 32 substantially centrally thereofso that the basin may readily rotate about the stem as an axis when saidstem is mounted in the socket l6 provided in the bracket H). The flange33 extends upwardly a short distance beyond the bottom 32 and defines arecess 34 adapted to receive the lower end of the cake S of salttherein.

The block of salt is preferably tapered outwardly from the lower endupwardly and the inner peripheral surface 35 of the flange 33 iscorrespondingly tapered so as to snugly lit the adjacent peripheralsurface of the lower end of the salt block. The bottom 32 is alsoprovided with a centrally disposed upwardly extending plug member 31.This member 31 extends above the bottom 32' a distance substantiallyequal to the height of the flange 33 and is tapered upwardly andinwardly from the bottom 32 in opposed relation to the tapered innerside wall 35 of the flange 33.

The salt block or cake S is provided with a said plug. It will thus beseen that when the cake S is "mounted in the basin Il, thelower por--tion of the cake will be wedged between the plug. 31 and flange 33 soasto be frictionally held in the basin. The peripheral surface of the plug31 is also provided with two male screw-thread members 38 which extendfrom. diametrically opposite sides of the plug adjacent the bottom 32spirally'a'bout the plug substantially one-quarter of a circle. The saltblock or cake S has the peripheral surface of the opening S providedwith femal'e thread portions 39- corresponding substantially to the malethread members 38 on the plug '31 for receiving the thread members 38therein.

It will thus be seen that the cake s may be readily secured to the basinH by bringing the upper end of the :plug 31 into registration with theouter end portion of the opening S and then rotating "said cakeone-quarter of a revolution to bring the thread members 38 and 39 intoengagement with each other.- The coaction of the screw-threads '38 and39 and the tapered side wa1ls35 and 31" of the flange 33 and plug 31securely fastens the'salt cake in the base ll so that said cake will'notbe accidentally removedfrom the basin by the animal feeding from thecake accidentally bumping against the cake or by the strokes ofthetongueof the'animal across the surface of the cake as the animal feedstherefrom.

The bottom 32 of the basin H is shown pro vided with a plurality of,in-'this-instance four,

holes :40 arranged in substantially equalcircumferentially-spacedrelation to each other intermediate the plug 31and the flange 33. These holes 33 Ilia-ye the upper ends thereof inregistration with an annular recess or groove -41 formed'inthe upperface of the bottom 32. The object of therecess 4| and holes M] is 'to"permit water or liquid forming in the bottom of the basin to escapetherefrom; The plug 31 mayialso be provided, as shown, with a centralopening 42 extending longitudinally thereof with the upper end thereofin registration with a conically shaped, relatively shallow recess 43provided in the upper end of the plug to prevent moisture collecting onsaid plug by the escape thereof through the opening 42'.

It will now be observed that the cake of salt S may readily be mountedin the basin II in such a manner that the cake cannot be accidentallyremoved therefrom. Furthermore, the bottom 32 and flange 33 of the basinH prevent v the bottom portion of the salt cake from being directlycontactedby the tongue of an. animal feeding from the cake, so that theholder may be positioned at any desired level without danger of theanimal feeding therefrom accidentally removing the cake from the holder.

It will also be observed that the upper portion of the cake will beconsumed before the lower portion thereof due to the protection theflange 33 affords the lower portion of the cake. This prevents the cakefrom becoming loosened from the basin when only partly consumed and, atthe same time, the heights of the flange 33 and plug 31 are such thatafter the upper portion of the cake has been consumed, the portioncontained between the flange and plug may readily be consumed by theanimal wiping its tongue across the upper face of the cake. In this way,waste of salt is substantially entirely eliminated not only because thecake will remain connected with the basin until consumed, but alsobecause Water or saliva from the animals mouth collecting on the upperportion of the salt may escape therefrom through the openings 48 and 42and thereby eliminate dissolving of the salt.

Although the construction and operation of my device are particularlysimple, practical and eflicient, I do not wish to be limited to theexact details shown as it is evident that various changes may be madetherein without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forthin the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a holder for salt blocks having tapered side surfaces, a supportcomprising a bottom portion of greater cross sectional area than one endof the salt block, a marginal flange extending upwardly from said bottomportion providing a recess for receiving said end of the block therein,the inner surface of said flange being in clined to correspond to thetapered side of the block whereby the block is frictionally engaged bysaid flange when mounted in said recess, and means for supporting saidsupport.

2. In a holder for salt blocks having an aper ture extending inwardlyfrom one end thereof, a supporting member having a recess adapted toreceive said apertured end of the salt block therein to confine thesame, said supporting member having an upwardly extending Plug adaptedto be received in said block aperture, and means engageable with thesupporting member for holding the same.

3. In a holder for salt blocks having an aperture extending inwardlyfrom one end thereof, a supporting member having a recess adaptedtoreceive said apertured end of the salt block therein, said supportingmember having an upwardly extending plug adapted to be received in saidblock aperture, the marginal wall of the recess and of said plug beingtapered in opposite directions for frictionally engaging the adjacentportion of the salt block between them,1'and means supporting saidsupporting member. I 4. A holder for salt blocks as defined inclaim 3wherein the plug and aperture are provided withscrew-threads coacting toreleasably maintainthe block and supporting member in engagement 7 witheach other.

5. In a holder for a salt block having an aperture extending inwardlyfrom one end thereof, a support for the block having a substantiallyflat bottom portion, and a marginal flange extending upwardly from saidbottom portion'defining a recess adapted to receive the apertured end ofthe block therein, said support having a plug extending upwardly fromsaid bottom 7. A holder for salt blocks as defined in claim 5 whereinsaid bottom member is provided with a pendent stem, and means includinga bracket rotatably associated with said stem for supporting thesupporting member.

8. In a holder for salt blocks, a supporting element engageable with oneend portion of the block, said element having a pendent stem con-'nected therewith, a bracket supporting said supporting member composedof two similar sections provided with semi-circular recesses adjacentone end thereof, said end portions of the bracket sections having meansformed integrally therewith coacting to secure the sections to eachother with said recesses arranged in opposed relation to provide asocket receiving the stem therein, the peripheral surfaces of the socketand stem being provided the one with a rib and the other with a recessreceiving said rib for maintaining the stem against axial movement withrespect to the socket.

9. In a holder for salt blocks, a supporting, element engageable withone end portion of theblock, said element having a pendent stemconnected therewith, a bracket composed of similar sections formed fromsheet metal stampings, said sections having portions at one end bent toprovide a holding means by which the bracket may be secured to asupport, said sections having their opposite end portions bent toprovide opposed recesses forming a socket rotatably receiving said stemtherein, the ends of the sections adjacent said recesses being providedwith web and slot portions at opposite sides thereof and extended inintersecting relation to each other with the web of one section receivedin the slot of the other section for hingedly connecting said ends ofthe sections to each other and to maintain said recesses in said opposedrelation.

10. In a device of the class described, a salt cake having one endthereof provided with an inwardly extending aperture, and meansenigageable in said aperture and with the peripheral edge of the cakeadjacent said end for supporting wardly extending plug in said recess, asalt block having one end thereof adapted to be closely received in saidrecess, and an aperture in said end of the salt block adapted to receivesaid plug therein.

12. The combination with a holder for salt blocks having a supportingmember provided with a recess in the upper face thereof and an upwardlyextending plug arranged in said recess substantially centrally thereof,said plug having the peripheral surface thereof provided withscrew-threads, of a salt block having one end thereof adapted to berotatably received in said recess, said end of the salt block beingprovided with an inwardly extending aperture adapted-to receive saidplug therein, said aperture being provided with screw-threads forengaging the screw-',

threads on said plug.

13. The combination with a holder for salt blocks having a supportingmember provided with a recess and an upwardly extending plug receive theplug therein, the side surfaces of said block and aperture beinginclined to correspond to said inclination of the sides of the recessand plug.

FRANK H. BEYEA.

